Great review Ryan ! Let everyone know that Subaru no longer installs metal or aluminum skid plates on Any Subaru vehicle. Rallitek does offer them, however.

This channel has HEAVILY influenced our decision to purchase the OBW and we have not been happier. It’s perfect for what we do in the PNW. Even getting us out of a very very sketchy snowy ditch situation on Mt. Hood. Long story short I called roadside assistance only to be told it would be 4+ hours to get to us. That definitely would not work. I thought surely the car could do this, that’s why we bought it. So I hopped in the car, switched to deep snow/mud, floored it and held that to let the car work it out and BAM we were out! All I had to do was trust the car and we were off to continue our adventure. Later that week I upgraded the tires to the Falken Wildpeaks. Now the car is perfect.

Can never have enough Subaru content.

This just makes me that much happier being a Outback wilderness owner. Loved my outback.

I have always liked and appreciated your content. You never try to test a vehicle in a place that it is not designed to be. I have watched reviewers put Subarus on Jeep trails high in the Colorado Rockies, then complain that they just did not cut the mustard. One thing that many reviewers never mention (nor can they demonstrate) is the Subaru's safety rating. I had a 2022 Outback Wilderness. I LOVED that car. I was t-boned in an intersection, rolled and landed upside down. I walked away from the wreck. People who witnessed the accident were amazed that I was able to crawl out of the wreckage. Yes, there may be some better soft roaders out there, and definitely better hard core trail rigs, but the combination of capability, safety and economy is difficult to match.

Now all we need is a direct competition video of the forester and Outback

I really enjoy these videos seeing how the AWD systems work! I will say what sold me on Subarus AWD system was seeing it in action. I was in Baja and a lady got stuck in an older mid 2000s forester (on street tires). This car was in deep sand and on a steep hill. This terrain was so steep that I wouldn't have attempted the hill with a Tacoma or wrangler, let alone a forester on street tires. We aired down the tires and With a few people pushing to get it moving, it literally climbed up this steep and deep sandy hill. I couldn't believe it! You could see the AWD system sending power to each wheel and it just crawled up. No x mode needed!

This has really turned out to be a great channel. Thx for your hard work!

Your content is what convinced me to purchase an Outback Wilderness this year. Thanks for the great channel!

I really appreciate how you have taken the time to understand the modes and explain them correctly. There are other review channels I won't mention, who do NOT give the car the time to figure things out, and just give it a fail, or have it in the wrong mode. I have found that for most situations including most offroad situations, regular mode, is still the best one to be in. I call it Xmode2. Xmode 1 has less spin than 2, and 3 has more. That's pretty much it. I probably would have used Xmode2 on that last slippery hill obstacle, and definitely wouldn't have pressed to brakes to slow down in that soft dirt. That simply makes a hole with a curb in front of it. If you need to slow down offroading an incline, just take foot off gas. Never brake in soft muddy soil. I have to give you a pass because I know you are trying to baby a borrowed vehicle and trying not to damage it. Xmode 2, which is just basically the regular driving mode, is actually the right choice in most situations. All of them are active torque vectoring. They just have different tolerance for spin. 1 wouldnt be great there. 2 allows enough spin but is fairly aggressive in that situation. 3 might allow too much spin because of the grade, and you won't have enough torque on the ground to defeat the grade. That's just from experience. But I might have needed to switch it out if it didn't work, and XM3 was definitely the right end of the spectrum to lean towards if 2 wasn't working. People make a mistake of turning on Xmode 1 just because they hit the dirt road. But you don't want to drive around in Xmode 1 just because you're in the dirt, because it will put unnecessary attention to braking, and also cut your fuel economy. Use em when you need em. Regarding the Forester Wilderness, it is a great choice too. Not as much power, but the power is much easier to modulate. The Wilderness, until you learn how to control the inputs, has a tendency to have not enough power, and then rocket ship into orbit suddenly. Which is not actually that useful of a feeling when trying to be careful near trees and obstacles. You can heel toe the brake and accelerator, or just learn the timing of the dance of the CVT, Turbo, And Logic. I'm almost a part of my vehicle now, I can sense when the power is about to pounce. I wish it was easier to modulate, but I'm still glad that it is so powerful when it arrives. In most cases you don't need near the power this car has, and would prefer the modulation of the non turbo Forester. I'm just being honest. And I've seen reviews where the Forester BEAT the Outback on some obstacles, because of it's control, where the Outback put too much power down too fast and just burned out instead of moving. Anyway, great review. I appreciate the fairness. I own this vehicle and love it. I actually forgot this had hill descent mode when in Xmode. I've never used it. I need to try that soon. Databyter😄

Another excellent video, aimed at the non-pro who may want to occasionally check out wilderness trails. Itsa 10! Good job, Ryan, again and again and again!

Would love an updated Ascent challenge with the 2023 since it has dual x mode-for those of us who still need 3 rows, but want to get off the pavement and into the mud.😊

I love your videos thank you for all your hard work I really do believe you should have way more followers

Been waiting for another OBW test from you. Thanks for not forgetting about this amazing car.

Awesome video, I've had my Wilderness for 2 years and you really helped me differentiate the 2 X-Modes.

THIS is the #1 channel for Subaru Wilderness model content. Ryan, if at all possible, I'd LOVE to see you do a head to head between the Outback Wilderness and the (hear me out) Ford Maverick Tremor. As I consider my next vehicle selfishly (I have a 2015 Outback), I'd like something modestly more capable, but not something to the level of a 4Runner or Taco (too expensive for my liking and not as practical as a daily driver.) Someone like me who likes the idea of a truck bed looks at the Maverick Tremor and sees it as potential competition to my Subaru Outback wagon for daily driving, but also mildly soft off roading.

glad to see you point out more specifics on how xmode works, especially reg dirt/snow, too many reviews for these cars have popped up the last year where as soon as wheel spin happens people let off the throttle and try again. you just gotta give it the beans!

I love your videos! My OBW has been modified (lift, tires, skidplates, etc.), and I'm in WA, too. Im out every weekend, but I wish I could visit some of your trails!

Awesome review showcasing all the functionality of the OBW

Absolutely love watching you test subarus !!

It’s worth noting impressive chassis rigidity. When the vehicle gets a wheel up in the air like that and he opens the door and gets out it’s a real testament to the strength of the chassis.

Love your reviews ❤️

Ordered a 2024 OBW, after watching your videos for the 1000th time.

Great video!!! You are a PRO 👍👍👍

Excellent review as always. I love my Outback Wilderness. Does everything I need it to do. My gripes are the same as here. The information center is overly complicated and slow responding. Also glitches out occasionally. I wish the heated seat and AC/heat controls were knobs and switch’s and not within the system. Subaru, you almost hit an A+.

I used to have a Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited. We vacationed in Colorado going down forest roads while everyone else was using Jeeps. We had no problems with it and it will get you to 98% of the places you want to be at.

Just picked one up last night. Can't wait to take it out to the mountain.

I Officially own a 2023 Subaru Outback Wilderness and i have had it since March of 2023, But I haven't tried all of the features on it, and Im really loving everything about it. The reason why I really got this is because I really want to take it on Trails and where My Wrx can't go i can definitely can try This Wilderness out for sure. I was Skeptic at first but I love it even better now.

I love watching Subaru’s going off road

Love the video ! thank you for always making great content I would love to see the Subaru Crosstrek Sport VS the Outback Wilderness off road capability ...

Excellent review on this car crossover!

Got my OBW this summer. Cannot wait for snow here to test. Sr has been very good so far. Zero complaints. Swiss Army knife and won’t cost arm leg to fix if when something goes wrong. Tires too are not over the too expensive to replace compared to other suvs I’ve owned like an X5.

I love my Outback Wildernes. LIttle gas hungry, but plenty of power and good ground clearance, plus looks much more muscular than regulat outback...which I would never buy lol. Thank you for showing people what this car can do.

I’d love to get that wilderness edition…..wayyyy out of my price range. Definitely a very well engineered vehicle for just about anything you want to do

I have this car, couldn't be happier. It is a snow monster.

Picking up mine (in the same color) tomorrow!! 😊

Love your reviews on Subarus! By any chance you will be making more content on the Subaru Ascent? Would love to see if the Ascent can go through your courses

Ryan, just love your AWD Subie content. Given how your testing locations and conditions have evolved over time, I'd love to see how well a stock 2.5L NA current Outback would perform on the Chicken run, Logging Road Rock test, and Muddy Hill climb test. I suspect it won't pass the Muddy Hill due to stock tyres and insufficient power/weight ratio, but it would still be great fun to watch (and not to diss the 2.5L Outback, I have the Australian 2022 model !).

This channel definitely influenced my decision to buy Subaru!

That mud hill turned those tires into slicks pretty quickly. 😏

Love my OBW!

Love love love Subaru!!! 4:28

I love my ob wilderness, but the first thing I did to it was upgrade the tires, the ones that come stock aren't the greatest a/t tire. Took it offroading the day I got it to a trail I do all the time in my 2018 crosstrek, and failed on obstacles I've never had issues on. Replaced the tires the next day to the 245/65/r15 toyo open country AT3s and went back to the same trail and smashed it.

Alway surprised how well the subie does with X mode on, continues to impress, though if you don’t have it ‘on’ the ‘normal’ mode doesn’t look like it works very well at all. Great video!

I want to see an Acura RDX, Audi Q5, Benz GLB and/or BMW X3 do this course to compare luxury AWD Great video. Thanks for breaking it down.

I think Subaru hired you. If so, they did a good job. You are the best Subaru reviewer in the world. Not joking

I'd love to see this again with actual off road tires, I have a feeling that would change things greatly.

Ryan, I am a huge fan! I have a 2022 Outback Wilderness in Crystal White. Now I seriously doubt that colour has anything to do with it, but I found that the AWD system learns, as strange as that seems. First time in deep snow @ 1,700 kms (1,000 miles) it didn’t seem nearly as sure footed as it does now, 14,000kms (8,700miles). It’s almost as if the system has to learn. I would be interested to see if a higher mileage Outback Wilderness would do better on the course or whether I am just imagining things.

I have this car, too. In the cluster over the large infotainment screen, you can modify the content that shows in JUST the top portion of the screen. One choice is ... the percentage of up/ down grade as a display. Doesn't show the gauge with percentage of front/ back AWD, but does show the up/ down of the gradient the car is at. I can't quite remember if you can have the front camera on PLUS this feature but I THINK it can show both. I'll check now that the question arises. An example of when you needed it in this video is at 11:18. You turn on the front camera and so you turn off the vehicle stats. But ... one portion of the infotainment screen at the very TOP is still visible. THAT PORTION can be changed and show the percentage gradient while the camera is on.

can t explane how good these series are. i dig all grid and there s nothing better then this.and SUBARU is best what ever they say...

I would love to see you do more with the ascent.

We've finally gotten these in Australia. Placed an order as soon as pricing was announced, supposed to be here in a months time. Watching these videos is helping me get through the waiting game. I notice that you never air down the tyres at all, is that to keep it a level game or just to showcase the X-mode tech working without any external assistance?

@Driving Sports TV At the 13:00 mark, when you double-pedal, doesn't x-mode disengage? Thought that especially with the cvt you just give constant throttle at the level you want and x-mode applies brakes for traction

Can't wait to see Honda Pilot Trailsport doing this test as its a direct competitor. Trailsport vs Wilderness 🔥

Pretty good most will never take it this far but good to know it can get you in and out of trouble. Better tires might help

Like a rock star... That could not get over the rock lol

Subaru symmetrical all wheel drive is great for maintaining traction through difficult and slippery conditions such as chickens.

Great review but when are you going to review a 2022-23 non-wilderness/Onyx outback? Or did I miss it

Extremely impressive vehicle. Even more capable with less effort than alot of the full size SUV's

I put this car through the ringer all across Canada, I never got stuck once, and I was on the top of BC mountains passing jacked up Jeeps

Subie has it easy with me: my short list of two is the Forester Wilderness...and the Outback Wilderness. My only reason to wait to pull the trigger on a deal, at this moment, is that Forester hybrid that's just around the corner. If Subie offers a hybrid Forester Wilderness, shut up and take my money. There's pros and cons to both the Outback and the Forester. Thing is: the lots are so small at the moment that you can't really go for a test drive with both of them right now. I lean towards the Forester, but since i'm living on the country where there's lots of two-lanes highways, I need passing power. So maybe the Forester ain't what i'm looking for. But then again, my dear German Shepherd will probably be more comfortable in the Forester. So i'm still hesitating. Ryan, is that small boxer in the Forester enough when you need to make a quick pass or should I really go for the turbo engine in the Outback?

I really like your off road tests. I cross shopped the OBW and the Bronco Sport Badlands, after previously owning two Subaru's and ended up ordering the BS for it's better approach and departure angles plus I hated the touch screen on the OBW. I'd like to see The Bronco Sport Badlands on this course.

I just traded my 2019 Charger for a 2023 Subaru Limited XT last month, and I love how it handles. My only issue is the laggy infotainment system.

Random comment! I would love to see you test out a BMW X3 M40i on some of these off road trails -- based on the few videos that are out there on youtube it seems like the x3's brake vectoring is actually pretty good at getting power to the right places so I'm curious to see how it does compared to these dedicated soft roaders.

It is possible to get a modern manual trans Subaru on this course? I.e 14-18 forester or newer crosstreks? Interested to see vdc with the 50/50 split.

Fantastic content! I've been following for a while now. Is the Xmode in the Wilderness same as the onyx trim level? Asking from Canada.

Hi Ryan, Great review. Are you planning to do an off-road test of the new Pathfinder Rock Creek? How does it's AWD system compare with Honda's iVTM4 system. I am considering this and 2023 Pilot trailsport as my next soft-roader. Thanks.

No I'm gonna have to go out and buy 1! And put the locker installed in the rear!

Has anyone ever tried to use hill descent mode with manual shift with it being in first gear? I do it all the time in snowy and icy conditions and it works great.

I’m considering an Outback because I’ve realized that a sedan isn’t for me because I need something that can handle snow better but still fits in my small garage. I also feel like it would possibly be a good vehicle to take hunting unless it was really muddy. My only real “off-roading” experience is going through pastures and when we do that we would normally put the pickup in 4WD Low and first gear. Is there a reason why you don’t use the paddle shifters or manual mode to put it in low for dirt to get less wheel spin? Not trying to backseat drive, just trying to understand if this would handle the terrain I’m envisioning for it.

Can you do this exact course in a Forester Sport or Premium/Touring to see how it goes!

Thanks Ryan for showing what these Subarus can actually do, unlike another review channel that can't figure it out, you do it right and give the AWD systems time to do their job. Subaru really should hand you their fleet of different vehicles for a full on in depth comparison with every model they have. Maybe a WRX in the future? Although I don't think it would do your course do to ground clearance issues, but a snow course would be interesting with a WRX. The WRX seems more like a rally type car/street car...but the Outback and Forrester models would be something I'd certainly consider. The wilderness models is what I'd choose, just gotta decide betweeen the Outback or Forrester HAHA!! Would be great if Subaru would put a limited slip or selectable locker in the Wilderness models....maybe give them a hint....I bet the car would be almost unstoppable with a locker in many cases. I'm looking at something along the size of what the Toyota Highlander is, would that be a Forrester or Outback?

I'd love to see how the Ford Explorer Timberline does on your course along with other off road leaning SUVs. I remember you didn't seem fond of the Timberline during your last review but I have one and I absolutely love it.

My crosstrek was in the shop, the dealer loaned me a turbo outback, it wasn’t a wilderness. Those things RIP

Does x mode negate the requirement for locking differentials? I've seen that some guys are installing these mods on their Outbacks.

Awesome content as always. Would love to see an off-road test of the new Honda Pilot Trailsport!

When driving on the highway during a snowstorm, driving (conditions permitting) around or below highway speeds (but over 25mph) is it ever recommended to drive in deep snow mode? Or rather put it in snow mode and when it disengages over 25mph and goes into normal mode, that is sufficient?

Ryan, Do the burning tire and brake pad particulates add to or detract from the flavor of the free range eggs? 😉

I use hill decent on my icy dirt roads roads all winter. It works good with proper tires. The oem tires on the touring xt were a challenge on ice. Really wish it could fit chains like my truck for bad ice.

Love to see Gig Harbor on the map :)

Great. Try to imagine how incredible good will be that car with lockers on both axles ...

It’s be cool to see the RAV4 Hybrid on this course!

I found just turning off VDC in normal mode to be suffice in cross rut situations

For my next vehicle purchased, I have narrowed down to this or the 2024 ranger. Any thoughts anybody?

Would really like to see Forester/outback Limited

How would it do with more aggressive off-road tires?

I take it no chickens were harmed in filming 😂🤣

I'll take a mechanical locking differential if available even if I have to push/ move a lever.

Great Subaru test as always. Any chances of a Land Rover Discovery Sport off road test??

A stock nd Miata made it up Imogene pass with a set of tires.. i wonder if this could do that??

Power

Chicken 🐔 Power! *(no chickens were harmed during(or after)filming.) 🤣

I don't understand why this particular awd system requires x-mode in order to have the wheel breaking operate effectively?

I got the forester wilderness because it’s built in Japan

I am waiting for the 2024 Toyota 4runner redesigned for my first new suv

My only criticism of this trim is that they didn’t offer it with the Harmon Kardon audio package - even as an option.

OK team! Welcome to the weekend!!!! This is the drinking game video of the week!! Each time he gets out of the car, take a shot and keep count. The first couple to submit the correct answer wins the weekly pot! Best of luck!!

Great review! Now that you've done the course in both OW & FW, which one do YOU prefer?

I really want to see subaru produce a version to truly compete with the 4runner and other SUVs in the off-road category so a true modified off-road suspension and a slightly better approach and departure angles and lower gearing for less momentum driving.

I would love to take my Cherokee trailhawk on that course.